Rekey versus replace: the economics
The core tradeoff is simple. Rekeying keeps your existing locks and just changes what key operates them, which is usually the cheaper route when the hardware is sound. Replacing swaps out the entire lock, which costs more but makes sense when a lock is worn, outdated, damaged, or you want a different style or higher security grade.
For many people, especially after a move, rekeying hits the sweet spot: it invalidates every old key at a lower cost than replacing everything, while keeping locks that are perfectly fine. We will give you an honest read on which path fits your hardware rather than defaulting to the more expensive option.
Why rekeying after a move is so common
When you take over a home or office, you rarely know how many keys are floating around from previous occupants, contractors, cleaners, or former employees. Rekeying gives you a clean slate: old keys stop working, and only your new keys open the doors. It is one of the first things worth doing for peace of mind.
This applies to renters and owners, homes and businesses. For a new San Diego household, it means the previous tenant's copies no longer matter. For a business taking over a space, it means past keyholders lose access. In both cases, the goal is control over who can actually get in.
One key for multiple locks and honest costs
Rekeying can also make several locks operate on a single key, so you are not fumbling through a ring at your own doors. Whether that is a good idea depends on your security preferences, and we are happy to talk through the tradeoffs of convenience versus keeping certain doors on separate keys.
Cost depends mostly on how many locks you have and their type. Typical ranges vary, and rekeying multiple similar locks in one visit is often more efficient than doing them piecemeal. We will give you an honest estimate once we know the count and hardware, rather than a fixed figure sight unseen.
